The best receiver in NFL history was released yesterday by the Seattle Seahawks. And while his agent, Jim Steiner, said Rice would seek to continue playing, finding a spot might be hard for a 42-year-old who has played 20 seasons in the NFL.

Rice was joined on the unemployment line by Ty Law, the star of New England's secondary through the first two of the Patriots' three Super Bowls, and Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina's standout wide receiver. The latter two were salary cap casualties as teams prepared for the start of free agency on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old Law missed the second half of this season with a broken foot and his $12.5 million salary cap figure made him expendable, especially because the Patriots won a title without him. Muhammad, who made his first All-Pro team last season, had 93 catches for 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns, but couldn't agree to renegotiate a contract that would have paid him a $10 million roster bonus on March 1.

Cleveland, meanwhile, gave two disappointing former first-rounders, defensive tackle Gerard Warren and running back William Green, permission to seek trades. The Browns also offered a new contract to injury-prone quarterback Kelly Holcomb.

One player staying put is Marshall Faulk, who restructured his contract with the Rams.

Rice's release was announced in a short statement from the team, which acquired the 42-year-old from Oakland in a trade last season.

Rice is the career leader in receptions with 1,549, total yards with 22,895 and touchdowns receiving with 197 – all far ahead of the closest pursuer. He also leads in total touchdowns with 207, 32 more than Emmitt Smith, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Rice indicated after the season he still was interested in playing.

Faulk is resigned to backing up Steven Jackson with the Rams and has agreed to a pay cut that will essentially guarantee he'll end his career in St. Louis.

Faulk, an 11-year veteran who turns 32 today, just finished the third year of a seven-year contract. He would have made $6 million in salary and workout bonuses in 2005.

Under the new four-year deal, Faulk gets a $2 million signing bonus and will earn $2 million in both 2005 and 2006, said his agent, Rocky Arceneaux.